Coca-Cola Canada pledges to help fight obesity

Toronto, Ont. – Coca-Cola Canada has outlined changes it will make to its products and packaging that it says will contribute to helping Canadians become healthier and more active. The announcement follows The Coca-Cola Company’s commitment to contributing to healthier, happier, more active communities worldwide.

The Toronto-based company will:

• Offer low- or no-calorie beverage options in every market in Canada by 2015. The company currently offers approximately 350 beverage products in Canada, with more than 70 of these being either low- and no-calorie drinks.
• Provide transparent nutrition information on the front of all packages by 2015. Some of the most popular packages of products will also include messaging to consumers about nutrition and physical activity. The company already features calorie information on the front of all of its Canadian packaging.
• Continue to support the ParticipACTION program to encourage teens to get active through community-based organizations. Coca-Cola Canada has committed $10 million over 10 years towards this ongoing project.
• Continue to commit to responsible marketing in regard to children aged 12 and under. The company says it does not buy advertising targeted at audiences comprised of more than 35 per cent children under 12, and strictly adheres to Advertising Standards Canada’s Children’s Advertising Initiative.

In addition, last month Coca-Cola Canada launched an initiative to fight obesity through active, healthy living programs, as well as a national advertising campaign focusing on its efforts to promote health and wellbeing.

The company says it will measure its efforts on www.comingtogether.com, a digital platform with details of its global commitments, programs and successes.